SHBC1408
S.Y.J.WONG1, M.M.HENDRIKS1, S.L.S.ENG1, T.Z.G.BOEY1, Y.H.M.QUEY1
Institute of Mental Health1
Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of linking patients to, and liaison with community partners for patients discharged from a psychiatric ward during the 2020 Circuit Breaker.
Case management strategies include:
Linkages to community partners i.e. FSC, DAC, COMIT, Step Down Care Centres Telephonic case management with patients, next-of-kin, and community partners e.g. post discharge, appointment reminder, and check-in calls
73 patients having (1) a First TCU (i.e. first outpatient appointment after discharge) scheduled in April – June 2020, and (2) having linked to at least one community partner, have been included in this study.
Quantitative outcomes:
Readmission rates: in which at least 2 of a patient’s admissions are within 30 daysAppointment attendance rates: defined as actualizing First TCU
Microsoft Excel was used to determine outcomes based on patient records to Ward 35B.
Out of these 73 patients,
– 32 already known or had referrals to community partners made during admission (Group 1)
– 41 were not (Group 2)
Readmission Rate (within 30 days)
– 15.6% in Group 1
– 12.2% in Group 2
Appointment attendance Rates
– 75% in Group 1
– 63.4% in Group 2
Due to Covid-19, multiple services previously operated by acute hospitals were disrupted due to safe-distancing measures and staff deployment. The involvement of community partners is helpful to ensure our patients remain well supported and monitored in the community, and promote compliance to treatment.
